For the first time all four of us have simultaneously been sick with a nasty cold. The timing could be worse, I suppose, with this being the first bitingly cold snap of the year. But pretty much since Sunday the kids have been in their pajamas (I plan to turn them inside out tomorrow), indulging heavily on video watching (snotty times call for drastic measures) and I've been hiding out upstairs in my lofty nest, with a roll of toilet paper constantly attached to my face, working feverishly on a project that I hope to unveil to you soon.
I'm putting the finishing touches to the ebook I've been working on. This book will offer my favourite tips to making the most bliss happen no matter where your live or how crazy hectic your life may seem. The call is to take good care of Mama first and the bliss will follow. And brace yourself: I'm planning on recording myself reading it to you all bedtime story style. It would be nice to get that bit under way soon because I'm kind of digging the huskiness oozing in my voice these days. I listened to a test recording this morning and was all "Dang! I don't sound like an eight year old. Nice!"
While this mama's been busy cranking out that first draft I'm realizing, after being stuck inside for over a week now (for Kale got sick first almost two weeks ago with a nasty cough), what importance being outside plays in terms of filling up the day. Inside, it's like - now what? I'm trying to keep the videos limited to the afternoon while in the mornings muster up any leftover oxygen in my brain to remember about any secret stashes of back up toys. This week so far I high fived myself twice as I fished out a set of princess themed stamps and ink pad I won at a silent auction this summer and dug out a couple of blank jigsaw puzzles I picked up at a stationary store.
The drawing surface of the puzzle pieces works beautifully with their beeswax crayons much to my surprise. And now Edie wants to make a set for all her little friends. She even replicates the image on the envelope cover to use as a reference. Kale's puzzle's a little more challenging due to there being just a few squiggles here and there.
Lesson learned; keep more of these rainy/snowy/sneezy day type activities on hand. Once my thinking cap can squeeze over my stuffed up head I'll brainstorm on that unless you want to share any ideas in the comments.
Even though our vitality is turned down a notch as we trudge through this kinda gross cleanse together, an aspect of this seems to be bringing us closer in subtle ways. As we budget our life forces for healing ourselves our interactions with each other are quieter, gentler and more compassionate. For instance, there's this dance happening. Everytime Edie's sneezes, blows her nose and says 'ow' I can hear an echo: Kale gently asking "does your nose still hurt?" She says yes. He says oh. I say let them eat soup, lots of it. So I'm off to make yet another batch of homemade chicken noodle soup to sip together while we make watery, googly eyes at each other and find comfort in knowing at least we're suffering through this messy time together.
